Electric cigar lighter



March 21, 1939. R, LUDOWC, 2,151,479

ELECTRIC CIGAR LIGHTER F led July 51. 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 7362; 50Zara 0025c z March 21,1939. R D W 2,151,479

ELECTRIC CIGAR LIGHTER Filed July '31, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 PatentedMar. 21, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC CIGAR LIGHTER RenatoLudovici, Chicago, Ill.,

assignor to Application July 31, 1937, Serial No. 156,665

6 Claims.

electric lighter of the character described in which the resistanceelement is normally shielded so long as the electric circuit to saidelement is 19 open, and will be automatically uncovered when the deviceis operated to bring about a closing of the circuit to said resistanceelement.

Another object of this invention is to provide an electric lighter ofthe character described, 15 including acap member having a mechanismprovided therein for bringing about a closing of the electric circuit tothe resistance element, said resistance element being normally shielded,and said shielding means being moved to position to 20 uncover saidresistance element when the mechanism is actuated to complete a circuitto said resistance element. 4

A further object of this invention is to provide an electric lighter ofthe character described which will be simple in construction, assemblyand operation, which may be produced along lines convenient for low costmanufacture, and which will, at the same time, be highly efficient forcarrying out the purposes for which it is designed.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists in certain novel featuresof construction, arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter morefully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, andparticularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understoodthat various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details ofthe structure may be made without departing from the spirit orsacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of my invention, I haveillustrated in the 45 accompanying drawings preferred embodimentsthereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection withthe following description, my invention, its mode of construction,assembly and operation, and; many of its advantages should be readilyunderstood and appreciated.

Referring to the drawings, in which the same characters of reference areemployed, to indicate corresponding or similar parts throughout the 55several figures of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of an electric cigar lighter made inaccordance with the principles of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially 5. on line 3+3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 1,and showing more par ticuiarly the underside of the upper insulationsheet;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken substantially on line- 5--5 of Fig.2;

Fig. 6 is a section taken substantially on line 6-6- of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a view taken substantially on line 1- of Fig- 6.

Referring to the drawings more specifically by characters of reference,the numeral l0 designates a hollow shell of suitable material such asmetal or the like, with said shell being of generally rectangularformation as shown in the drawings, and is of a size and shape adaptedtoreceive and house a plurality of dry cell batteries ll, I2, [3 and I4,by means of which the necessary electric current may be supplied to thelighting element as will be more fully presently described. Obviously,the shell ll] may assume a somewhat different shape and size and may, ofcourse, be formed to house a number of dry cell batteries other than thenumber illustrated in the drawings.

In the embodiment illustrated, there is provided a base member [5, uponwhich the shell I0 is adapted to be supported, said base being providedwith the feet I6 and the outwardly extending flange I7. Arranged withinthe 'base I5 is a sheet of insulation N3 of suitable insulatingmaterial, so that the dry cell batteries will be out of contactingengagement with the base l5, which is formed of suitable materialsimilar to 40 that froms which the hollow shell [0 is formed.

- Secured to the sheet of insulation [8 are a pair of oppositelyarranged spring strips [9 and 20 of conducting material, said stripsbeing secured intermediate their ends to the insulation sheet i8 bymeans of suitable rivets 2| or in some other suitable and well knownmanner.

The batteries H, [2, l3 and M are adapted to rest on the insulationsheet l8 when the device is in fully assembled position, with the top ofthe battery ll being connected to the bottom of the 0 battery M by meansof'the spring strip l9 and the top of the battery [3 being connected tothe bottom of the battery 12 by means of the spring strip 20.

The shell I is also provided with a cover member 22 within which isdisposed a sheet of insulation 23 to the underside of which is secured aspring strip 24 by means of a rivet 25, said strip being adapted forconnecting the top of the battery M to the bottom of the battery l3.

There is also provided in this insulation sheet 23, a spring strip 26secured thereto by means of the rivet 21 and the angled strip 28 securedthereto by the rivet 29. The strip 28 is adapted to engage the bottom ofthe battery H and the strip 26 is adapted to engage the top of thebattery I2. The strip 28 is also provided with a portion 39 to which isrigidly secured an electricity conducting post 3|, said postbeingarranged on the upper side of the insulation sheet 23 as shown in Figs.and 6 of the drawings. The post 3| is arranged to cooperate with asecond post 32 of similar material, also secured to the upper face ofthe insulation sheet 23, said posts having connected thereto andsupporting therebetween, as shown in Fig. 6, a fine resistance wire 33made of a suitable alloy, and one which is capable of being heated to astrong heat. The alloy used for the resistance element 33 may also beone which will resist corrosion by the volatile liquids of the typeordinarily used as a fuel for lighters of this character.

Associated with the post 32 and connected thereto is a spring metalstrip 34, which strip is of substantially the shape illustrated in thedrawings and has its free end spaced from the other post 3|. The purposeand function of this strip 34 will be presently more fully described.

Centrally disposed within the shell I0 is a metallic tube 35 which is ofsuch a size in diameter as to substantially fill up the entire centralspace in the shell I0 between the batteries and to thereby hold saidbatteries in place and against movement or rattling when the lighter isin fully assembled position as shown more clearly in Figs. 3 and 5 ofthe drawings. The tube 35 is closed at its lower end by means of a wall36 from which wall extends a threaded stud 31, which stud is adapted toextend through openings provided therethrough in the insulation sheet l8and base member |5. A suitable nut 38 is adapted to be threaded on thesaid stud 31 for securing the tube 35 to the base and to hold the samein fully assembled position on said base.

Disposed within said tube is a supply of cotton 39 or similar material,which material is adapted to be saturated and to retain a supply of fuelfor a wick 40 carried by a torch member 4|, which member is providedwith an annular flange 42 and a spherical head or handle 43, which maybe of considerable weight, so as to practically seal, due to its ownweight, the top or open end of the tubular member 35, thereby protectingthe wick 40 from the atmosphere and also preventing the evaporation ofthe fuel within the tube 35 when the torch member is placed therein.

The tubular member 35 is provided, with a reduced neck portion 44 whichextends through a central opening in the insulation sheet 23 as 7 shownin Fig. 5, with the shoulder 45 of the tube 35 being brought intocontacting engagement with the spring strip 26 when the lighter is infully assembled position. The neck portion 44 is provided intermediateits ends with a shoulder 46 and that portion of the neck extending abovethe insulation sheet 23 is adapted to be disposed within a compartment4'! formed within the cap 22.

Disposed within said compartment 41 and supported by the neck portion 44is the novel operating mechanism for bringing about the closing of thecircuit to the resistance element 33 when it is desired to ignite thewick 49.

The mechanism now to be described includes means which normally holdsthe resistance wire shielded and the circuit thereto open. However, whensaid means are actuated to close the circuit to the resistance element,it will automatically uncover or expose the resistance element.

Thus, in the embodiment illustrated, there is shown a split ring 48 ofconducting material, which surrounds the neck portion 44 and upon whichis adapted to be supported a plate member 49, also of conductingmaterial, said plate member having a central opening through which theneck portion 44 extends. and a depending rear portion 50 which extendsinto an opening 5| provided in the insulation sheet 23 for preventingany turning movement of the plate member 49 and its associated partswhen the device is in assembled position.

Pivotally secured to said plate member 49 is a substantially U-shapedrocker member 52, the end of said rocker member remote from itspivotally mounted end being formed as an upstanding portion 53, whichprojects through an opening 54 provided in the cap member 22. When thelatter is in assembled position, the upstanding portion 53 will bedisposed directly above the spring strip 34, and when said member 53 ismoved downwardly upon the application of pressure thereto, it will, uponurging its lowermost position, come in contact with said spring strip 34and thereby electrically connect the post 3| to the post 32, thuscompleting the circuit to the resistance element 33. The member 53 isprovided with a curved portion or groove 55 at its uppermost edge, andupon which is adapted to rest the neck portion 56 of the torch 4| whenit is desired to ignite the wick 40 from the resistance wire 33.

The opening 54 in the cap 22 is disposed directly above the resistanceelement 33 and said opening is normally closed so as to shield saidresistance element by an arcuate shaped pivotally mounted member 51.Said member 5'! has a pair of side walls 58 by'means of which it ispivotally secured to one end of the plate member 49 as shown at 59 inFigs. 6 and '7. The member 51 is arranged on said plate member 49 sothat when it is in its normally inoperative position, it will be in theposition shown in Fig. 5, in which position it will substantially closethe opening 54 and thus effectively shield the resistance element 33.

It is held in that position by means of a spring member 60, one end ofwhich is secured to a portion of the lighter and the other end of whichengages under an ear 6| formed on the side walls 58 of the member 51,which spring is effective for normally urging said member in a clockwisedirection as viewed in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings. An ear 6| is alsoprovided on the other side wall 58 of the member 57, and upon these ears6| is adapted to rest the arms of the U-shaped rocker member 52, withthe result that said arms will be held in a raised position as shown inFig. 7 of the drawings.

To complete the assembly of the lighter, there is mounted a split ring62 surrounding the upper portion of the neck 44, said ring resting onthe blade member 49, so that the latter is clamped in place between therings 48 and 62. The upper free end of the neck 44 is internallythreaded, and into which is adapted to be threaded a nut 63 having anannular flange which engages the top of the cap member 22 to therebycomplete the assembly of the lighter.

The assembly and operation of the lighter should be readily understoodfrom the foregoing. When the torch member All is in its housing 35, theparts will be in the position shown in, Fig. and in full lines in Fig.'7, in which position it will be noted that the circuit from thebatteries to the resistance element 33 remains open and said resistanceelement is completely shielded by the member 5?.

When it is desired to use the device for igniting a cigarette or cigar,the torch member 4! is withdrawn from the housing and the neck portion56 of said torch member is laid across the grooved portion 55 of themember 53 with the Wick 40 extending into the opening 5 2- and directlyabove the shield 51. The application or pressure to the member 53 willforce the latter downwardly, until the bottomof said member is broughtinto contacting engagement with the strip 34, thereby electricallyconnecting the posts 3| and 32 to each other, and to the batteries, thuscompleting a circuit through the resistance element 33 which willreadily become sufficiently heated to ignite the wick.

It will be noted that as the member 53 is pressed down, it will engagethe ears BI and thus force the blade member 5! to move about its pivots59 in a counterclockwise direction and against the action of the springGil, thereby uncovering the opening 55 and exposing the resistanceelement 33; as the wick will now be disposed directly above the heatedresistance element, it will be readily apparent that the same willbecome ignited.

As soon as the torch member 4| is withdrawn, the spring 60 will beeffective to return the parts to the position shown in Fig. 5, therebybreaking the circuit to the resistance element and, at the same timemoving the shield 51 to a position where it will again completely coverthe opening 54.

After the torch has been used to ignite the cigarette or cigar, the samemay be extinguished by replacing it in the tube 35, the annular shoulder42 cutting off air for combustion and preventing evaporation of thelighter thereby.

It is believed that my invention, its mode or construction and assembly,and many of its advantages should be readily understood from theforegoing without further description, and it should also be manifestthat while preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed for illustrative purposes, the structural details arenevertheless capable of wide variation within the purview of myinvention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United Statesis:

1. A cigarette lighter comprising a casing, a source of electric currentin said casing, an electrically conductive reservoir for lighter fluiddisposed in said casing and insulated therefrom, a torch carrying a wickat one end and having a handle at the other end adapted for dispositionwithin said reservoir, a cap having a hollow chamber arranged on saidcasing, an insulation sheet having a central opening" through which avportion of said reservoir extends, disposed beposts for closing acircuit from said source of electric current to said resistance wire,and means associated with said first mentioned means for normallyholding first mentioned means in circuit opening position, said secondmentioned means being arranged for actuation by the torch for movementto a circuit closing position, in which position the wick of said torchwill be disposed directly adjacentsaid resistance wire so as to beignited thereby.

2. A cigarette lighter comprising a casing, a source of electric currentin said casing, an electrically conductive reservoir for lighter fluiddisposed in said casing and insulated therefrom, a torch carrying a wickat one end and having a handle at the other end adapted for dispositionwithin said reservoir, a cap having a hollow chamber arranged on saidcasing, an insulation sheet having a central opening through which aportion of said reservoir extends disposed between said casing and cap,a pair of contact posts mounted on said insulation sheet, a resistancewire carried by said posts, means mounted on said reservoir andcooperating with said contact posts adapted for closing a circuit tosaid re sistance Wire, said means being normally held in circuit openingposition and being arranged for movement tocircuit closing position uponthe application of one end of the torch thereto, in which position thewick of said torch will be disposed adjacent the resistance wire so asto be ignited thereby.

3. A cigarette lighter comprising a casing, a source of electric currentin said casing, an electrically conductive reservoir for lighter fluiddisposed in said casing and insulated therefrom, a torch carrying a wickat one end and having a handle at the other end adapted for dispositionwithin said reservoir, a cap having a hollow chamber arranged on saidcasing, an insulation sheet having a central opening through which aportion of said reservoir extends, disposed between said casing and cap,a pair of contact posts mounted on said insulation sheet, a resistancewire carried by said posts, electrically conductive means mounted onsaid reservoir and cooperating with said contact posts for completing acircuit to said resistance wire, said means including a pivotallymounted member, the free end of which is normally held in a raisedposition, in which position the circuit to said resistance wire is open,said pivotally mounted member having a portion projecting through anopening in said cap, said projecting portion being adapted forengagement by that end of the torch carrying the wick and to be moved tocircuit closing position, in which position the wick will be disposedadjacent the resistance wire so as to be capable of becoming ignitedthereby.

4. A cigarette lighter comprising a casing, a source of electric currentin said casing, an electrically conductive reservoir for lighter fluiddisposed in said casing and insulated therefrom, a torch carying a wickat one end and having a handle at the other end adapted for dispositionwithin said reservoir, a cap having a hollow chamber arranged on saidcasing, an insulation sheet having a central opening through which aportion of said reservoir extends, disposed between said casing and cap,a pair of contact posts mounted on said insulation sheet, a resistancewire carried by said posts, electrically conductive means mounted onsaid reservoir comprising a member pivotally mounted at one end andcoopcrating with said contact posts for closing a circuit to saidresistance wire, the free end of said pivotally mounted memberprojecting outwardly through an opening in said cap, means normallyurging said free end outwardly and to circuit opening position, saidmember completing circuit to said resistance wire when moved inwardly tothe limit of its inward movement, the inward movement of said memberbeing accomplished by pressing the wick end of said torch against thefree end of said member, whereby upon the closing of the circuit to saidresistance wire, the said wick will be disposed adjacent said wire so asto be capable of becoming ignited thereby.

5. A cigarette lighter comprising a casing, a source of electric currentin said casing, an electrically conductive reservoir for lighter fluiddisposed in said casing and insulated therefrom, a torch carrying a wickat one end and having a handle at the other end adapted for dispositionwithin said reservoir, a cap having a hollow chamber ararnged on saidcasing, an insulation sheet having a central opening through which aportion of said reservoir extends, disposed between said casing and cap,a pair of contact posts 25 mounted on said insulation sheet, aresistance wire carried by said post, electrically conductive meansmounted on said reservoir and cooperating with said contact posts forcompleting a circuit to said resistance wire, said means including amember pivotally mounted adjacent one end thereof and having its freeend projecting outwardly through an opening provided therefor in thecap, the resistance wire being arranged in alignment with said lastmentioned opening, means normally urging said free end of said pivotedmember outwardly, in which position the circuit to said resistance wirewill remain open, a

shield associated with said pivotally mounted member for shielding saidresistance wire when said pivotally mounted member is in its circuitopening position, said shield being moved to a position to uncover saidresistance wire when said pivotally mounted member is moved downwardlyto circuit closing position, said last mentioned movement beingaccomplished by applying the wick end of the torch against the free endor said ivotally mounted member until the latter has been moved tocircuit closing position, in which position the wick will be disposedadjacent the resistance wire so as to be capable of being ignitedthereby.

6. A cigarette lighter comprising a casing, a source of electric currentin said casing, an electrically conductive reservoir for lighter fluiddisposed in said casing and insulated therefrom, a torch carrying a wickat one end and having a handle at the other end adapted for dispositionwithin said reservoir, a cap having a hollow chamber arranged on saidcasing, an insulation sheet having a central opening through which aportion of said reservoir extends, disposed between said casing and cap,a pair of contact posts mounted on said insulation sheet, a resistancewire carried by said posts, said cap having an opening in the top wallthereof arranged directly above said resistance wire, means for closingsaid opening to shield said resistance wire, said means being held inclosed position when the circuit to said resistance wire is open, and inopen position upon the closing of the circuit to said resistance wire,whereby the wick end of said torch may be disposed adjacent saidresistance wire to be ignited thereby.

RENATO LUDOVICI.

